The Scout continues a series of articles looking at Fantasy Premier League players who have posed a major attacking threat from set-pieces.
Anthony Knockaert (BHA) £5.5m
The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder has been one of the top creators from set-pieces over the opening eight Gameweeks.
Chances created - Top five midfielders
| Player | Set-pieces | Open play | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sigurdsson | 13 | 10 | 23 |
| Knockaert | 10 | 4 | 14 |
| Willian | 8 | 13 | 22 |
| Maddison | 8 | 7 | 15 |
| Fraser | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Milner | 7 | 5 | 12 |
Gross missing
Knockaert's 10 chances from corners or free-kicks are second only to the 13 of Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.4m).
The Frenchman has earned two assists from set-pieces, placing him joint-top with Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£6.0m) among midfielders.
The absence of Pascal Gross (£6.7m) has been a significant factor in the improvement of Knockaert’s prospects in Fantasy.
Gross was first-choice for Brighton set-pieces in 2017/18, but his pitch time has suffered this season.
The German played more than 60 minutes in just one of the first four Gameweeks and has since been sidelined through injury.
Greater goal threat
Knockaert has taken advantage, already surpassing his total of six chances created from set-pieces for Brighton last season.
He has also offered an impressive goal threat this term. His 15 shots on goal are bettered by only seven other midfielders.
That has helped the 26-year-old to one goal and three assists as Chris Hughton’s side prepare for a favourable forthcoming run of opponents.
Brighton's next eight opponents
| GW | Opp | FDR | GW | Opp | FDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | NEW (A) | 3 | 13 | LEI (H) | 3 |
| 10 | WOL (H) | 2 | 14 | HUD (A) | 2 |
| 11 | EVE (A) | 3 | 15 | CRY (H) | 2 |
| 12 | CAR (A) | 2 | 16 | BUR(A) | 2 |
Knock-down Knockaert
All of their next eight matches score three or less in the Fixture Difficulty Ranking (FDR).
And at such a low cost, Knockaert’s creativity can make him the next cut-price midfielder to target.
Also in this series
Part 1: Set-pieces: Trippier threat on the rise
Part 2: Set-pieces: Managers heading for points with Keane
Part 4: Set-pieces: Free-kicks boost Maddison in Fantasy
Part 5: Set-pieces: Mitrovic the standout forward
Part 6: Set-pieces: Deeney can be big aerial weapon
Part 7: Set-pieces: FPL managers can gain from Magpies pain
Part 8: Set-pieces: Salah can profit from Milner absence
